“After weeks of interviews with community leaders and different law enforcement officials, we decided that we had the perfect fit right in front of us,” Lewis told New Times. “I think Jake will be very successful as our new police chief.”

Lewis said that making the correct police chief decision was very important to him and added that Miller was not a shoo-in. The city manager explained that he conducted a “very rigorous” interview process to validate the department’s succession plan.

“At the end of the day, it wasn’t worth the cost and time of a nationwide search when we could just follow our succession plan and appoint Jake, who has been tremendous for our department,” Lewis said.

Miller has been promoted through every rank in the Pismo Beach Police Department, starting as a reserve officer in 1994 and most recently serving as commander (second-in-command) for the last six and a half years.

The Pismo Beach City Council is expected to confirm Miller as the next chief during its April 1 meeting. At the council’s March 4 meeting, Lewis announced Miller’s promotion, which recieved raucous applause.

“Chief Norton has left this department in tremendous shape and has challenged us to reach the next level of excellence,” Miller said in a press release. “I am prepared to take the department to that next level.”